Details

A pre-wash treatment for blonds who want lighter, brighter hair

Softness, shine and conditioning for blond hair. Marilyn is for blonds who would like to stay blond and become even blonder, in a gentle, shiny, and natural way (even if they didn’t become blond naturally). We make it by hand with softening linseed gel which is full of protein, vitamins and minerals to hydrate and strengthen hair. We use chamomile for lightness and to calm your scalp, saffron for golden color and lemon for shine. Marilyn moisturizes damaged hair and brings out natural blond tones with regular use, making hair look more vibrant.

You’ll love juicy: Lemon enhances the natural gloss and shine of blond hair, making it look vibrant and healthy.

Customer Review

from
Goldiefrost

"I'm writing this review because I appreciate the reviews that other people have written. They help me so much when I buy Lush products.
I'm 48 and have fine, thick, wavy hair that I've color-treated for years. My natural color is dishwater blonde, using foil color treatment to add blonde highlights.
...more"

"I'm writing this review because I appreciate the reviews that other people have written. They help me so much when I buy Lush products.
I'm 48 and have fine, thick, wavy hair that I've color-treated for years. My natural color is dishwater blonde, using foil color treatment to add blonde highlights. About six months ago I wanted to stop being a slave to the salon. My new growth was very healthy, but the line between it and my old color-treated hair...ugh.
A friend told me about Marilyn and also Daddy-O shampoo. I decided to use them along with the honey I've been adding to my hair to lighten it up naturally.
As part of this, Marilyn is awesome. It does have a thin texture (think melted ice cream) but I just poured mine into a small drugstore spray bottle and that helped to get it into my hair and not in the sink. I left it on for a couple of hours without a hair covering, so it did get a little stiff. (Friday at home...who cares.)
This left my hair incredibly soft and silky, with a great smell. I wouldn't say it lightened my hair exactly, but it did make it seem brighter. I think that must be the "strips away brassiness" effect that people have mentioned. I did use this with Daddy-O shampoo, and that shampoo has really been making my hair lighter and brighter...again, alongside honey treatments to lighten my color, and oddly enough, honey does work.
I'll continue using this as a deep conditioner. My hair was very damaged, and this made it feel like hair and not straw again. Great product.
less"

Featured Ingredient

Lemon Oil (Citrus limonum)
read more

How to use

How it's made

How to use

Apply generously to dry hair, leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, and then shampoo out. Use about a quarter of a pot for short hair, or about half a pot for longer hair. Those with very long hair should use the whole pot. (Yes, it is a lot, but the effects are long lasting and well worth the investment.)

Do shampoos and conditioners typically contain animal products? Yes, they do. For people leading a vegan lifestyle, their choices may surpass what they eat to the products they use in their daily life.. Read More...

2,540 kg/5,600 lbs of fresh lemons get zested, juiced and squeezed into our cosmetics each year. We love using lemons in our cosmetics because they’re cleansing, antibacterial, full of vitamin C, vita.. Read More...

Daffodils are popping up in our backyard and the weather is warming up. That can only mean one thing; spring is here! It’s time for spring cleaning – LUSH style. Winter weather can leave skin dry, fla.. Read More...

Daffodils are popping up in our backyard and the weather is warming up. That can only mean one thing; spring is here! It’s time for spring cleaning – LUSH style. Winter weather can leave skin dry, fla.. Read More...

2,540 kg/5,600 lbs of fresh lemons get zested, juiced and squeezed into our cosmetics each year. We love using lemons in our cosmetics because they’re cleansing, antibacterial, full of vitamin C, vita.. Read More...

Herb's the word. It's the perfect weather to start your own herb garden - you can cultivate one outside, or indoors no matter how much space you have. Get started with a few tips to grow your own LUSH.. Read More...

Marilyn lasts for 14 months from the date that it is made. We recommend using it once a week, but you can use it however often you would like!

Answered on 3/21/2015 by Emily from LUSH Direct

A:

This product is good for 14 months. Try skipping an application and see how you like the results, it really would vary from person to person depending on their hair, styling habits and natural environment.

Answered on 3/21/2015 by Lana from LUSH Direct

VERIFIED BUYER

A:

I don't generally worry about the shelf life. I've had mine awhile andit is fine. I just use it whenever I feel like it with no rhyme orreason. It depends on my hair. If it starts to feel dry I'll use it.If my hair is a little oily I don't use it.

Answered on 2/17/2015 by Anonymous

Q:

How often should I use this treatment? I have long hair and I used about 1/4 of the pot. Thanks!

It's really just based on personal preference, as either won't affect how the product works!

Answered on 9/25/2014 by Melissa S from LUSH Direct

VERIFIED BUYER

A:

I rinse it out a little bit and then start shampooing, I don't think it matters either way though.Sent from my iPod

Answered on 7/9/2014 by Anonymous

VERIFIED BUYER

A:

It doesnt matter either way, to be honest. It washes out quickly with orwithout shampoo.

Answered on 7/9/2014 by Anonymous

VERIFIED BUYER

A:

I rinse it out first, then shampoo and condition my hair

Answered on 7/9/2014 by Anonymous

Q:

I dyed my hair red about 2 years ago. I'm still growing it out and my mousey blonde/brown hair is about 3/4 length down my shoulder length hair. Will Marilyn help lighten the ends to a similar colour or will it turn it a funny colour? I'd like to get rid of the red as naturally as possible. Also using I love juicy and lemon juice!

Marilyn works to take the brassiness out of blonde hair with chamomile and lemon, but you won't likely see a difference on hair that has been chemically colored, as it is not a bleach product that pulls pigment from the hair.

Answered on 9/25/2014 by Melissa S from LUSH Direct

A:

So far every review I've read has said that it's ineffective for lightening hair, and I from having tried this product, I agree that it doesn't really lighten hair. I have also tried and read reviews on Daddyo, a Lush shampoo, and would definatelly recommend that for what you're looking for. It was very effectie, and seemed to work well for everyone.

Answered on 8/5/2014 by Anonymous from Central Iowa

Q:

I have really short hair: Like shaved on the sides and back of my head and about 3 and 1/2 inch hair on the top. About how much of this treatment would I use each time I use it?

We recommend a quarter of a pot for short hair, but if you end up covering your hair with less than that, you just get more to use later!

Answered on 4/25/2014 by Anonymous

VERIFIED BUYER

A:

1/2 teaspoon! youll love!

Answered on 4/23/2014 by Anonymous

VERIFIED BUYER

A:

About a 1/5. I have very thick dense hair with longer mid-section andback (at 7 inches plus). I had also cut my upper-sides low a few monthsago. And I used about a 1/3 of product for a good soak. You want the hairto feel as if the product has absorbed, and when it does- you will see itshrink down to your natural texture- whether straight, wavy, orhighly-textured. It is quite watery, and I blame the product texture forwhy the application must be plentiful in general. However, I will highlyrecommend it based off of conditioning properties alone. It does notexactly "lighten" your hair, but is more of a detox. Hair products areknown to stain the hair with unwanted residue, and this cleans it;providing a fairer shade of hair. I hope this helps!

Answered on 4/23/2014 by Anonymous

Q:

I'm a person with pretty dark brown hair, so if I used this product, would my hair end up lighter or would its shade stay the same?

We use natural lightening ingredients like lemon juice in Marilyn so while using it won't be detrimental to your hair it certainly wouldn't bleach it, just perhaps bring out any natural blond highlights you may have.

Answered on 5/3/2014 by Anonymous

Q:

Can I use this on dry hair with product in it or does my hair need to be clean before I use it? I put styling product in my (fine, slightly frizzy/dry) hair after I wash it to add body and control frizz. Will the product in my hair affect Marilyn's usefulness in any way? (I use Bb thickening mousse, an Aveda anti-frizz serum, and a couple drops of argan oil at the ends. . .)

This treatment should work well, even if you have some product in your hair. Some customers prefer to use Marilyn on product-free hair to give it the cleanest slate possible, but it's entirely up to you!

Answered on 3/25/2014 by Brandy from LUSH

A:

I had 3 days worth of dry shampoo in my hair and Marilyn still worked wonders!

Answered on 3/22/2014 by Kiron from Livermore, CA

Q:

I have brunette hair with a lot of grey, it seems the grey hair is not a supple and feels coarse. I wonder if this will help my hair but not lighten it?thanks

For most people, it will make your hair shinier and softer without a dramatic change in color. I would do a strand test with this product first before completely applying, as it is dependent on ones hair.

Answered on 12/8/2013 by Anonymous

Q:

Will this highlight grey hair? I am a natural blonde who is turning grey. Want to amp up the silver tones.

Marilyn will definitely help with shine, however, it is more meant to help take the brassiness out of blonde hair. We would definitely recommend a strand test ahead of time, and hopefully it gives you the results you are looking for!

Answered on 1/31/2014 by Melissa S from LUSH Direct

VERIFIED BUYER

A:

For me, it certainly made my hair shinier and softer--I didn't notice itenhance any particular color, but I bet it would make your silver nice andshiny and bright!

Answered on 10/9/2013 by Anonymous

Q:

What shampoo and conditioner are recommended for use after rinsing out this treatment?

For shampoos, I highly recommend you try Daddy-O. This product has been very effective for those with gray or blond hair, who also want brighter and healthier looking locks, without dull, brassy tones.

For conditioners, I highly recommend you try Retread. This product is especially beneficial as it is a rich conditioner that works to make your hair look better, but more importantly, it moisturizes and feeds your hair the nutrients it needs. Retread is good for all hair types.

Answered on 11/21/2013 by Anonymous

A:

I use Daddy-O shampoo after I use Marilyn! It's seriously the best for blonde hair!

Marilyn is a very moisturizing and nourishing hair treatment, and contains a number of oils to soften the hair. However, you're meant to follow-up with shampoo after using the treatment, so the residual effects should not make your hair any oilier, just moisturized, shiny, and with the blonde more enhanced.

Marilyn isn't the best choice for those that use henna simply because Marilyn is designed to brighten blonde hair, which will counter the purpose of the henna. Many people find that the henna is enough of a hair treatment on its own because of the cocoa butter base we use, but if you are still looking for a treatment that is more compatible with henna, the Jasmine and Henna Fluff Ease might be a nice choice!

Answered on 9/16/2013 by Melissa S from LUSH Direct

Q:

I have naturally dark golden blonde hair in the summer it gets very light (a light medium golden blonde) because I spend a lot of time outside but in the winter it gets very very dull and dark and in low lighting it can almost look light brown sometimes and I hate that but I dont want to put any color in my hair so this seems like it could be great! my question is has this product been known to cause brassiness or cause it to bring out red tones on natural golden blondes? also if this product is used for a significant amount of time and therefore brightens it quite a bit will you develop roots if you stop usage of the product or will the brightness just gradually fade out? Thanks!

Marilyn should not bring out any brassiness in the hair, as it is meant to bring out the natural blonde tones. While it will help to brighten your hair and add shine, it will not actually color the hair to a point where you will develop noticeable roots. Instead it will be a gradual change that will fade over time.

Answered on 11/2/2012 by Melissa S from LUSH Direct

A:

I've got the same color and have been using this faithfully for a couple of years. No brassiness, no roots. I'm only guessing here, but I think the lemon cleans out whatever it is that that stops hair from picking up light. So it doesn't change the actual color of my hair, and when I don't use the product for a couple of weeks, my hair goes back to normal.

Answered on 10/5/2012 by Jojo from New York, New York

Q:

Should I only put this product on the ends of my hair and avoid the roots? Or should I use it on my roots as well?

It really depends on your hair! If you hair is prone to being oily, then skipping the roots and focusing on the ends is probably best. However, if your hair is on the dry side, then conditioning all the way up could be just fine! (I usually stop at about my ears, and don't apply it to my scalp, but occasionally, I will apply all the way up to the roots).

Answered on 7/31/2012 by Laura from LUSH

Q:

Would this be good to use on highlighted hair? highlightes that are blonde of course

Marilyn would brighten your hair, and likely would also keep the highlights bright. If you're concerned, maybe do a little patch test somewhere inconspicuous to be sure the results will be to your liking, first.

You definitely can use Marilyn on brown hair, but the results will not be drastic, and you may not see any significant results until a few applications have been done. We use lovely natural lightening ingredients like lemon and chamomile which are mild, and do not contain any bleaching or chemical lightening materials.

Answered on 5/3/2012 by Megan from LUSH

A:

I would think it would be fine to use this on brown hair...I have light brown/dark blondish hair and I used it. It made no noticeable difference in my hair color at all, so you can try it, but, from my experience, it won't lighten your hair at all. You might want to save your money and try a professional who could lighten your hair and you'd be sure of results.